Britain 1760 -1913
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Timeline Britain 1760 -1913 |
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1848 Public Health Act
During
the 1830s and 1840s disease was affecting every major town in Britain.
Epidemics, particularly of cholera, highlighted the terrible state of
public health. In the 1840s the link between disease and polluted drinking
water was proven. Under the Public Health Act local authorities were
required to take action to provide sewerage systems and improve drinking
water. This meant building drains and sewers to stop water supplies
being contaminated. Medical Officers were established to oversee and
organise this work. Gradually the health of the population improved
and in the numbers of people dying from diseases such as cholera and
typhoid started to fall.
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